Virtual Reality (BA)
Virtual Reality
Designing games for life-changing applications
Be the future of how we see the world with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Virtual Reality from University of Advancing Technology (UAT). Because gaming technology and practices have become a part of everyday life, there is a growing emergence of gaming-based technologies and interactions being embraced by mainstream businesses and organizations.
What is it about computing/computer technology that excites us? It is the ability to convert an idea from our imagination and make it tangible, make it something with which we can see and interact. This degree prepares students to tell stories in a new way by taking design to a whole new level – in a virtual space.
UAT’s Virtual Reality Degree applies the design principles of gaming to serious, life-changing applications in such fields as corporate training, medical and therapeutic, military and education. This highly technical field of serious games requires the specialized education that UAT’s virtual reality development degree provides. Students earning this seriously relevant game development degree will be exposed to all the tools of the serious games profession and develop mid-level programming and asset creation skill sets, including:
» Simulate Big Data
» Create Augmented Reality Apps
» Build Immersive Games
» Code to VR head gear and Motion Tracking
» Build Immersive Simulations
Virtual Reality technologies fulfill an idea that goes back as far as science fiction has conceived of holograms and holodecks. Imagine designing a piece of a vehicle that will commercially launch and explore into space. Imagine seeing it in VR headsets just as it will look like once built. Imagine holding it in your hand, turning it over and peering around its edges. It doesn’t matter if the object is as small as a bead or as large as an engine. With VR, you can hold it with the ease of a smartphone.
This idea and opportunity are at the heart of Virtual Reality, a technology rapidly transforming the gaming industry and our future. Virtual Reality is used for entertainment, designing new products, simulating dangerous or high risk environments, interacting with vast sets of data, recreating experiences in ways that overlap or augment our real world and tricking our senses with startling realism and feedback.
VR designers also work as programmers and artists. That’s why UAT’s bachelor’s degree in Virtual Reality prepares students with design skills to work in the world of aesthetics, using 2D, 3D and World Building tools to create newly imagined environments; buildings, objects and spaces, and create realistic and augmented versions of our worlds. They will also learn programming skills, and work with hardware such as VR headsets and head tracking devices. These tools are linked to the created worlds that we can see, move around, touch and interact with – all virtually.
With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Virtual Reality from UAT, graduates become prepared to enter the exciting world of game-based technology as a programmer, game designer, VR designer or world builder.
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A Structured Course Load
Every online robotics and embedded systems degree assignment is geared toward your technology degree program. Each online robotics and embedded systems degree class follows a standard assignment schedule, ensuring a swift, successful completion of classes. This standardization, combined with a team-based approach and access to industry-standard toolsets and techniques, encourages development of the collaborative and creative skills necessary for the advancing technology workplace.
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Virtual Reality Course Description
Gaming technology and practices have become a part of everyday life, and there is a growing expectation that gaming-based technologies and interactions are being embraced by mainstream businesses and organizations. The Virtual Reality degree uses game design as a base and applies the design principles of gaming to virtual reality applications such as corporate training, medical and therapeutic, military and education. As this is a highly technical field, students will be exposed to all the tools of the trade as well as mid-level programming and asset creation skill sets. The coursework emphasizes design skills such as strong initial concepts, design documentation, game balancing and play-testing, interactive storytelling and interface design with an eye towards developments in the virtual reality field. Students in the Virtual Reality degree will also take a critical approach to the study of gameplay, player interaction and community dynamics as well as the unique features of the numerous game platforms available in the marketplace. Applying all the elements of the game creation process, students will also develop the mentorship and leadership skills to complete projects from initial concept to publishing a final product.Virtual Reality Objectives
- Prototype and complete original serious and simulation games for multiple platforms following the full game production pipeline.
- Create and implement game elements, systems, and play mechanics using industry standard tools, techniques, and production methods, including both art and scripting/programming applications.
- Design and produce projects that leverage game mechanics and learning styles to enhance the outcomes of applications such as training, medical, therapeutic, military or learning based environments.
- Effectively articulate game design elements and mechanics across disciplines utilizing written and verbal communication skills that demonstrate visualizations representing data, real world entities, events and interactions.
- Analyze and apply delivery methods, legal considerations, and user expectations specific to applications of serious games and simulations.
- Establish collaboration, mentorship, and professional leadership skills by working with other disciplines to deliver highly polished and completed projects.
Virtual Reality Program Information
| Program Credits: | 120 |
| Major Credits: | 36 |
| Semesters to completion: | 8 |
Requirements to graduate include the creation and presentation of a Graduate Innovation Project.
For a more detailed breakout of completion time frames and rates, please see the UAT Fast Facts page.
UAT Accreditation and Recognition
UAT is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
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